Massage device



Jan. 4, 1938 B LlpsNER 2 ,104,429

MASSAGE DEVICE Filed Dec. 4, 1936 v 7 ZjUF Patented Jan. 4, 1938 UNITED STATES groans e isNT OFFICE 6 Claims.

' This invention relatesto a therapeutic instrument and more particularly to a massage device for use in massaging the face and other parts of the human body.

It is an object of this invention to provide a massage device of simple, yet rugged construction that may be used without danger of pinching or pulling the skin or any hairs with which it may come into contact.

It is a further important object of this invention to provide a massage device formed of metals that will not rust, so that the device can be repeatedly immersed in water without impairing the operation of the device.

Other and further important objects of this invention will be apparent from the disclosures in the specification and the accompanying draw- This invention (in a preferred form) is illustrated in the drawing and hereinafter more fully described.

On the drawing:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a massage device embodying the principles of my invention.

Figure 2 is a similar plan view with parts broken away and in section.

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view, with parts in elevation, showing the method of assembly of parts of the device.

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view, with parts in elevation, similar to Fig. 3 but showing the completed assembly of the parts.

Figure 5 is a reduced sectional view taken substantially along the line VV of Fig. 4.

As shown on the drawing:

The reference numeral l0 indicates generally a therapeutic instrument, or massage device, embodying the principles of my invention. Said device Ill comprises a handle II, which may suitably be formed of a molded plastic or other heat insulating material, and a solid roller I2 extending axially from said handle II and rela tively rotatable with respect thereto. Said roller I2 may suitably be formed of a metal or alloy having high heat capacity and good resistance to corrosion, such as rusting, and is counterbored to receive the shaft as a bearing. Said roller I2 may be provided with one or more knurled peripheral portions I3.

A shaft I4 of brass or other suitable metal is provided with a knurled end I5 which is embedded in the handle I I to securely hold the same therein against rotation or removal. The other end of said shaft I4 is smoothly cylindrical, as at IE, to provide a bearing for the roller l2. A groove I? is provided in said shaft I4 at a point adjacent the roller end I8 of the handle II. In order to secure the roller I2 in place on said shaft I4 against axial displacement, while still permitting free rotation, a portion IQ of the metal of the roller I2 is forced into said groove IT. This may readily be accomplished by inserting a hollow cylindrical tool (not shown) over the handle II and driving said tool against the end face of said roller I2 to form a circular groove 20, thereby displacing some of the metal of the handle in- Wardly, as at I 9, into said groove IT.

The form of the groove I1 is rather important. It should be relatively shallow and instead of having straight cut sides, the sides should be somewhat rounded to provide fillets 2 I. The provision of the fillet 2| permits the metal of the roller to be crowded smoothly into the groove II without causing a binding effect. A slight amount of endwise play is provided at the joint 22 between the roller and the handle, so that the roller will be free to turn without undue friction at the joint.

In the use of my device, the roller is moved over the portion of the face or body to be massaged. Since the free end of the roller I2 is smoothly rounded, as at 23, and is without any joints, crevices or the like, there is no chance of the skin being pulled or pinched as the roller is moved along. In my preferred method of application, the roller I2 is heated to a temperature somewhat above body temperature and an oil or cream first spread over the surface to be massaged, and then the heated roller worked over the surface to increase the absorption by the skin of the oil or cream and also stimulate the underlying nerve cells. The roller may also be chilled by immersion in cold water and used in the chilled state, or alternately in a heated and chilled condition.

Owing to the construction of my device from corrosion resisting materials, it may be readily and quickly heated to the desired temperature by immersing the roller end in hot water for a few seconds before using. Since the roller I2 is a solid mass of metal, or metal alloy, having high heat capacity, the roller stays hot or cold for a comparatively long period of time. It is thus unnecessary to provide the roller with electrical resistance wires, or other form of internal heating means or chemicals to produce heat or cold, as has been customary in the past.

I amv aware that many changes may be made and numerous details of construction may be varied through a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention, and I, therefore, do not purpose limiting the patent granted hereon otherwise than necessitated by the prior art.

I claim as my invention:

15A device of the class described comprising a handle, a roller, a shaft secured in said handle and forming a bearing for said roller, said shaft being peripherally grooved adjacent the handle end of said roller and the material of said roller extending into said groove to prevent separation of said roller and handle while permitting free rotation of said roller.

2. A device of the class described comprising a handle, a roller extending axially thereof and a shaft secured in said handle andforming a bearing for said roller, said shaft being peripherally grooved adjacent the handle end of said roller and the material of said roller extending into said groove to prevent separation of said roller and handle while permitting free rotation of said roller, said roller and shaft being formed of a nonrusting metal. 7

3. A massage device comprising a handle, a shaft having one end secured in said handle and the other end extending axially therefrom, said shaft having a peripheral groove adjacent the end of said handle, and a roller rotatably mounted on said extended shaft end and having an inturned portion extending into said groove to prevent separation of said roller and handle.

4. A massage device comprising a handle, a shaft having one end secured in said handle and the other end extending axially therefrom, a solid metallic roller of high heat capacity counterbored toreceive the extended end of said shaft as a bearing, and said roller and shaft having cooperating projected and recessed means to prevent separation of the roller and handle and to permit free rotation of said roller on said shaft.

5. A massage device comprising a handle, a shaft having one end secured in said handle and the other end extending axially therefrom, a solid -metallic roller of high heat capacity counterbored to receive the extended end of saidshaft as a bearing, and a part of said shaft being circumferentiallyrecessed and a part of said roller being projected into'said recess to prevent separation of said roller and. handle and to permit free rotation of said roller on said shaft.

6. A massage device comprising a handle, a shaft having one end secured in said handle and the other end extending axially therefrom, a counterbored solid metal roller of high heat capacity rotatively supported on the extended portion of said shaft, and said shaft and rollerhaving interlocking parts for irremovably connecting the roller to the shaft while permitting free rotation of the roller.

BENJAMIN B. LIPSNER. 

